Cap-feeding apparatus



July 4, 1944'. w. 'D. BELL 52,764

CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 vINVENTORI William D. Bell.

ORNEYS July 4, 1944.

W. D. BELL CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 17, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

BY W,

INVENTOR William D. Bell.

A ORNEYS July 4, 1944. w. BELL 7 2,352,764

CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5OOOOOOOOOOOO Fig. 3

INVENTOR William D. Bell.

July 4, 1944. w. D. BELL Original Filed J a n l 7 l 9 40 mum Fig. 5

NNNNNN OR 1 William Bell.

Patented July 4, 1944 CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS 7 William 1). Bell,Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster,Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original applicationJanuaryH,1940,.Serial No. 314,299. Divided and this application May 19, 1941,Serial No. 394,065

4 Claims. (Cl. 226-881) My invention relates to cap-feeding apparatus.It has to do, more particularly, with apparatus for feeding capsfrom asource of supply and applyingthemto containers, suchas food containersand including'jars, bottles, cans, et cetera, preparatory to scalingthem on said containers.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and effectiveapparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply into position to beengaged by the upper ends of containers to be sealed thereby which aremoved along by a conveyer.

Another object'of my invention is to provide apparatus which willautomatically release caps from a cap reservoir and feed them intoposition ,to be enga ed by the top of the containers without i anymanual intervention by the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide acap-feeding and applyingunit of such a nature a cap-feeding apparatus of such a. nature that thecapwhich is fed into position to be engaged by a container will not dropfrom the cap-feeding mechanism until it is positively withdrawn by theapproaching container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a leap-.feeding unit havinga magazine .for a vertically disposed stack ofvcaps and which is of sucha nature that the lowermost cap will be separated from the stackwhilethe stack is supported in position.

. In its preferred form, myinvention contemplates the provision of. asimple apparatus for feedingcaps from a source of supply and applyingthem to containers such as jars, bottles, cans et cetera. The apparatusis preferably employed with a continuously moving conveyer upon whichthe filled containers are placed indiscriminately.

Means is preferably provided in association with the conveyer forcentering and maintaining the containers centered on said conveyer. Thecontainers are first moved by the conveyer to my other closures areloosely positioned on the upper ends of the containers; The containersmay then be moved to a sealing unit such as is described in my parentapplication, Serial No. 314,299. It will, of course, be understood thatany suitable sealing unit may be used in conjunction with my cap-feedingapparatus. The sealing cap-feeding and applying unit where caps or head.and my cap-feeding and applying unit are preierably separately disposeddirectly adjacent each other. My cap-feeding and applying unitispreferably connected to the sealing head so that each time the sealinghead is actuated, a cap is fed from my cap-feeding unit into position tobe engaged by the next container in the conveyer. It is not, however,necessary to operate the cap-feedingvand applying unit by the sealing.head. 7

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No.314,299, filed January 1'7, 1940, and directed to Apparatus for sealingcontainers.

, The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts and'wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my cap-feeding and applying apparatusshowing it associated with a sealing machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view, partly broken away, of my capefeeding apparatusand its actuating means.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken sub Istantially on line 33of Figure 2.

trated a machine of the type disclosed in my copending applicationSerial No. 314,299. This machine comprises generally a table Isupporting a horizontalconveyer unit 2 on its upper end (Figure, l), acap-feeding and applying unit 3, and a sealing head unit 4. i

The conveyer unit 2 is described in detail in said co-pendingapplication. As disclosed in said application, the conv'eyer'unit 2 isdriven continuously.

As described in said application, the containers 28 are placedindiscriminately on the conveyer and are moved in the direction of thearrows (Figures 1 and 3) by the conveyer. My invention is not limited toany particular type of container and cooperating cap but forillustrative purposes I have shown in Figure 3 a tumbler adapted toreceive the cap 29 on its upper end. This cap preferably embodies asubstantially disk-like portion 39 (Figures 3, 4 and 5) which has adepending annular skirt 3| which carries an annular gasket 32therewithin. When the cap is rails 33, as disclosed in my co-pendingapplication. I

These guide rails are supported on opposite sides of the conveyer insuch a manner that they may 7 be adjusted towards and away from eachother. Thus, these guide rails will center the containers.

on the conveyer, as they are moved between the rails, and will maintainthem centered on the conveyer during the time they are moved along bythe conveyer.

After the containers are positioned on the conveyer, they are carried tomy cap-feeding and applying unit 3. This unit is of such a type that itwill apply a cap loosely to the upper end of the container. After thecontainer passes the unit 3, it proceeds to the sealing head unit 4 inthe manner described in my. co-pending application.

The unit 3 is preferably disposed directly adjacent the sealing headunit 4. They are both supported by a horizontally disposed plate 34. Theplate 34 is supportedat a point spaced above the table I by means of aplurality of vertically disposed posts 35. These posts may be in anysuitable number. These posts extend downwardly through the top plate Iof the table I on opposite sides of the conveyer. The posts may beadjusted vertically in the manner described in my copending applicationto vary the height of units 3 and 4 above the conveyer.

My cap-feeding and applying unit proper comprises an annular member 44(Figure 3) which fits in an opening formed in the plate 34. This memberis provided with a peripheral flange 45 which rests on the top of plate34 and which may bebolted thereto by means of bolts 46. On its loweredge, the member 44 is provided with an inwardly projecting shelf-likeportion 41. The member 44 has its lower surface substantially flush withthe lower surface of the plate 34. The member 44 receives an annularcollar 48 which may be slipped thereinto and which will rest on theportion 41 thereof. This member is held in position by means of screws49 (Figure 1). The

.member 48 carries four upstanding posts 50.

Each of these posts is provided with a reduced ures 2 and 5. A pivot pin56 is carried by each member 55 intermediate the inner and outer endsthereof. The upper end of the pivot pin 56 is rotatably carried by themember 48, as at 51, while the lower end of the pivot pin is rotatablycarried bythe portion of the The inner end of each member 55 is providedwith a bifurcated portion 59. Each of these portions 59 has a roller 60disposed therebetween (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5). These rollers 60 arecarried at properly circumferentially spaced intervals by ring 6|. Thering BI is disposed in an annular space 62 formed within the collar 48at threaded lower end 5! (Figure 3) which is adapt- V -ed to-be screwedinto a cooperating threaded opening formed in the member 48. The posts50 are disposed adjacent the central opening 52 formed within the collar48. This opening is of such a size as to permit the caps to droptherethrough. A stack of nested caps is adapted to be disposed withinthe posts 50.

For controlling the movement of the caps through the opening 52, formedwithin member 48, I provide the following structure. At suitable mentmember 55 is disposed. Each of the members 55 is pivotally mounted, asindicated in Figthe lower and inner edge thereof. The ring 6| is free torotate slightly or oscillate relative to the member 48. When the ring isrotated, all of the members 55 are swung about their pivot points 56.Each of the members 55 has a fiat outerend 55a (Figures 4 and 5). Amember 63 is disposed in abutting relationship to this surface.

This member 63 is pivoted to the member 55 by a pivot pin 64. Eachmember 63 is provided with an outwardly projecting upper knife-likefinger 65 and lower knife-likefinger, 66.

Normally the members 55 will be in such a position that the lowerfinge'rf66 will project outwardly beyond the wall of the opening 52.Consequently, the lowermost cap of the stack will rest on these fingers66 and will be prevented from dropping through the opening 52. At thistime the fingers 65 will not project into the opening 52. However, whenthe ring BI is rotated in the proper direction; it causes the, members55 to pivot in such a manner that the fingers 66 will be withdrawninwardly from the opening 52 and the fingers 65 will be swung outwardlyinto the opening. This will permit the lowermost cap to drop while thecap next above will be engaged by the finger 65 and will be preventedfrom dropping. As soon as the ring is rotated to its original position,the fingers 65 will again be withdrawn from the opening 52 allowing thestack of caps to drop onto the fingers 66, which will again be projectedinto the-opening 52. Thus, rotation of the ring 6| will permit one ofthecaps to drop from the opening 52. The members 63 are free to moveslightlyabout the pivots 64 to prevent jamming of the feeding device.movement is limited, as indicated in Figure 5, by the member 48 disposedthereabove and the'portion 4! of member 44 disposed therebelow. Thus, itwill be apparent that the caps will be fedone by one from the opening52. The cap released from the stack will drop downwardly and willbereceived by the hook 61, depending from the portion 4'! of member 44vand disposed (Figure 3) adjacent and behind the opening 52, and a pairof fingers 61a which are formedon guide memebers 61b. The hook 61 andthe 'membersfla cooperate to support the cap in a downwardly inclinedposition, as indicated in Figure 3, so that as a container is movedbeneath the cap by the conveyer, the upper edge of the container willengage the forward portion of the skirt of the cap and will pull it 011'the hook 61 and members 610. allowing it to drop into position on theflanges of members 611). As disclosed in my co-pending application, themembers 6Tb are disposed in parallel relationship and extendlongitudinally of the path of movement of the container. They are spacedapart a distance slightly less than the diameter of the cap. However,the upper end of the container will still project slightly above t ehorizontal flanges of these members.

member 44, as

The

Thus, the upper end of: the container will move the cap along membersBibuntil itrmoves ofi such members,-- at which time it will be beneaththe plate!!!) of the sealing head unit v l.

Asdisclosed in the parent application, in order to actuate-thecap-feeding and applying unit 3 each time the sealing head of thesealing head videdwith anupstanding post 99 which has its lower endthreaded into an opening in the upper surface of the plate 68, as at I(Figure 3). This post has its upper end pivotally connected, as,

at IUI, to a crank arm I02 which is keyed to one end of the shaft I63(Figure 2) which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing IM carriedby the upper surface of the stationary plate 34. The opposite end ofthis shaft has keyed thereto a crank arm I05 (Figure 3) which has itslower end pivotally connected to a link 1516 (Figure 2). This link hasits opposite end pivotally connected as at Hi! to the upstanding memberI08 (Figure 3) which has its lower end attached to the ring 6|. A slotI09 (Figure 2) is provided in the collar 48 to permit movement of themember I 08 so that it will rotate the ring 6|. It will be apparent thatwhen the plate 68 is moved downwardly, the ring 6| will be rotated inone direction and when it is moved upwardly, the ring will be rotated inthe opposite direction. Thus, each time the sealing head is actuated,the cap-feeding device will be actuated to release a cap from the stack.

From the preceding description, the operation of my cap-feedingapparatus will be well understood. The containers will be placedindiscriminately on the conveyer which will move them between the guides33 so that the will be in proper alignment with the units 3 and 4. Thecontainers will then be moved along and as they pass beneath the unit 3,each container will withdraw a cap from the supports 61' and 61a, aspreviously described. The container with the cap loosely applied theretowill then be moved beneath the sealing head unit 4 and will be sealed inthe manner described in the parent application.

One of the advantages of my invention is that a very simple andeffective apparatus for feeding caps from the source of supply intoposition to be engaged by the upper ends of containers preparatory tosealing is provided. This apparatus will automatically release thelowermost cap from the cap reservoir, without any manual intervention,while at the same time support the stack of caps thereabove. The cap maybe withdrawn from my cap-feeding apparatus by a container withoutupsetting said container. Another advantage of my invention is that thecap which is being fed into position to be engaged by a container willnot drop from the cap-feeding mechanism until it is positively withdrawnby the approaching container.

Many other advantages will be apparent from the above description andfrom the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

'1. A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine adapted to receive avertical stack of caps, means for feeding the caps one by one from thelower end of said stack, said means comprising an annular member throughwhich the caps are adapted to drop, a -plurality of pivoted escapementmembers associated with said annular member, each of said escapementmembers embodying amain portionv pivoted for swinging -movement in ahorizontal plane, each of said main-portions carrying onits outer end amember pivoted thereto for/movement ina vertical plane which issubstantially tangential to the periphery of said annular member,saidlastnamed pivoted member c arrying at one end a horizontal finger.disposed adjacent the -upper edge thereof, and at the, other end ahorizontal finger disposed adjacent the; lowerfedge thereof, saidescapement members being normally posi- 'tioned so that thelower fingerssuppor t'the' lowermost cap of the stack, and means 'for swinging themain portions of said escapement members about their pivots so that thelower fingers will move out of engagement with the lower cap and theupper fingers will move into engagement with the cap next above.

2.'A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine adapted to receive avertical stack of caps, means for feeding the caps one by one from thelower end of said stack, said means comprising an annular member throughwhich the caps are adapted to drop, a plurality of pivoted escapementmembers associated with said annular member, each of said escapementmembers embodying a main portion pivoted for swinging movement in ahorizontal plane, each of said main portions carrying on its outer end amember pivoted thereto for movement in a vertical plane which issubstantially tangential to the periphery of said annular member, saidlast-named pivoted member carrying at one end a horizontal fingerdisposed adjacent the upper edge thereof, and at the other end ahorizontal finger disposed adjacent the lower edge thereof, stop meansfor limiting pivotal movement of said last-named member, said escapementmembers being normally positioned so that the lower fingers support thelowermost cap of the stack, and means for swinging the main portions ofsaid escapement members about their pivots so that the lower fingerswill move out of engagement with the lower cap and the upper fingerswill move into engagement with the cap next above.

3. A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine adapted to receive avertical stack of caps, means for feeding the caps one by one from thelower end of said stack, said means including a mem her having anopening through which the caps are adapted to drop, a plurality ofpivoted escapement members associated with said opening, each of saidescapement members embodying the main portion pivoted for swingingmovement in a horizontal plane, each of said main portions carrying onits outer end a member pivoted thereto for movement in a vertical planewhich is substantially tangential with the periphery of the caps, saidlast-named member carrying on opposite sides of the pivot point thereofupper and lower horizontal fingers spaced apart vertically a distancecorresponding substantially to the thickness of each can at the'edgethereof, said escapement members being normally positioned so that thelower fingers support the lowermost cap of the stack and means forswinging the main portion of said escapement members about their pivotsso that the lowerfingers will move out of engagement with the lower capand the upper fingers will move into engagement with the cap next above.

4. A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine adapted to receive avertical stack of caps, means 'for feeding the caps one by one from thelower ing a main portion pivoted for swinging movement in a horizontalplane, each of said main portions carrying on its outer end a memberpivoted thereto for movement in a vertical plane which is substantiallytangential to the periphery of the collar member, said last-namedpivoted member carrying on opposite sides of the pivot point thereofupper and lower horizontal fingers spaced apart vertically a distancecorresponding substantially to the thickness of each cap at the edgethereof, stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said last-namedmember, said'escapement members being normally positioned so that thelower fingers support the lowermost cap of the stack and means forswinging the main portions of said escapement members about their pivotsso that the lower fingers will move out of engagement with the lower capand the upper fingers will move into engagement with the-cap next above.

WILLIAM D.'BELI-.|; V

